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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.






2. A sequence of chords that brings an end to a phrase - either in the middle or the end of a composition.






3. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






4. Repetition of a single tone.






5. A direction to play lively and fast.






6. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






7. A direction to play lively and fast.






8. A style of singing which is characterized by the easy and flowing tone of the composition.






9. A complex piece of music. Usually the first movement of the piece serving as the exposition - a development - or recapitulation.






10. A period in history during the 18th and early 19th centuries where the focus shifted from the neoclassical style to an emotional - expressive - and imaginative style.






11. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






12. The retuning of a stringed instrument in order to play notes below the ordinary range of the instrument or to produce an usual tone color.






13. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






14. Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor.






15. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






16. Singing in unison - texts in a free rhythm. Similar to the rhythm of speech.






17. Pertaining to the sonata form - a fast movement in triple time.






18. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






19. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






20. A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds - backwards - or inverted.






21. Two or more voices or instruments playing the same note simultaneously.






22. The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.






23. Indicating speed.






24. Vocal composition written for three or more solo parts - usually without instrumental accompaniment.






25. A musical scale having five notes.For example: the five black keys of a keyboard make up a pentatonic scale.






26. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






27. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






28. The keyboard of a stringed instrument.






29. A musical composition written solely to improve technique. Often performed for artistic interest.






30. A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God.






31. A repeated phrase.






32. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






33. The principal note of a triad.






34. Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each part bears the same importance.






35. The first violin in an orchestra.






36. A scale consisting of only whole-tone notes. Such a scale consists of only 6 notes.






37. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






38. Pertaining to the sonata form - a fast movement in triple time.






39. Pertains to tone or tones.






40. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1700's to mid 1800's. The music was spare and emotionally reserved - especially when compared to Romantic and Boroque music.






41. Introduction to an opera or other large musical work.






42. Suite of Baroque dances.






43. Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service.






44. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






45. The highest female voice.






46. Singing or chanting in unison without strict rhythm. Collected during the Reign of Pope Gregory VIII for psalms and other other parts of the church service.






47. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






48. Male singers who were castrated to preserve their alto and soprano vocal range.






49. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






50. The movement of chords in succession.